Future Weapons: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

A little correction: My country is not looking to buy the F-35B (STOVL), but the F-35A which is the regular version. Only the USMC and Britain get the B because they have carriers.

Then the question, how long is stealth still going to be effective(VHF radar)

According to the Hickam AB, Hawaii war games, the F-35 lost bigtime on climbing and maneuverability, and also to Sukhoi fighters! Counter measures are getting better and when your out of missiles(only 4 inboard)..you'll be in deep S**t .

Also Gripen NG will cost us a full billion less for the same amount of aircraft..plus the industrial stuff I mentioned will be better...like I said also development costs is already 45% over.

What I'm saying is just based on what I've read on experiences with the F-35, already creating a lot of controversy. I am just not really convinced it'll live up to what they say it can do...but i guess the trials between Gripen NG and F-35 will tell.. Things can still change.

Just a little google research..I noticed that especially the Australians have been really involved in the testing/war games and they don't seem to like it's performance.

Google on "F-35 export stealth downgraded" and you'll find tons of articles.
Also keep in mind that with a typical warload, it'll have to use it's underwing pylons!

On Gripen: I was more referring to Gripen NG (next gen.) which is coming out with all new avionics/radar etc and will also be a bigger more powerful version.

The F-35, with a combat range on full tank of near 1,000 km, is not needed, for example, the F-16, only has 500km combat range, so with only 50% fuel on the F-35, its T/W ratio would far exceed almost any jet to date.
Exceeding the Gripen.
The F-35, even on full tank, has similar T/W ratio with the gripen.

So here we have a jet, that is virtually invisible to radar, has the most advanced avionics, has several useful features, has some of the best A2G capabilities... decide for yourself...

Wing loading has almost nothing to do with maneuverability. It has the requirements of being atleast as maneuverable as the F-16. And since the program has not been a failure on any accounts, it most likely is atleast equivalent to the F-16.

Its T/W ratio is very good, especially on 50% fuel. Keep in mind, it is designed to carry A LOT more fuel than a typical multirole fighter, thus, on a typical combat load, it does not need to carry a full tank. The full tank is for long range missions.